Just a little housecleaning … Caught the Silvertips against Spokane the other night at the Everett Events Center and saw the effects of the hockey rule changes implemented this season.
The verdict: Love it.
Designed to open up the game and increase the amount of offense, the rules have eliminated the red line, thus eliminating the two-line offsides pass; the institution of a tag-up rule on delayed offsides; the addition of a goaltender crease behind the net that limits the area in which a goalie can handle the puck; and a general tightening of standards on penalties.
There’s more flow. More passing. Less clutching and grabbing. It’s not a new game now, but it certainly is an improved one. I was hooked from the opening face-off.
Even having opened up the rules, the game doesn’t sacrifice defense. Everett goalie Leland Irving and Spokane counterpart Jim Watt gave the fans a great show, allowing just one goal between them in 55 combined shots on goal.
The second period was the most exciting. Watt made stops lying in a heap in front of his goal, sliding along the goal mouth and closing off angles. Once, he made a diving glove save on a point-blank rebound by John Lammers.
Irving was nearly as spectacular, with 23 saves. He allowed only a first-period slapshot by David Schultz on a power play to whistle past his right shoulder and into the net.
It was all just great stuff.
The rules work. And they came at just the right time. Fans who return to NHL games after 16 months of lockout (thankfully, we still had the WHL) will see hockey as it’s meant to be played.
Welcome back.
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Lost in the confetti-tossing ecstasy from Spencer Hawes’ announcement that he will sign an NCAA letter of intent to play basketball for Lorenzo Romar at Washington starting in 2006 is the news of more immediate concern.
Senior power forward Mike Jensen underwent shoulder surgery last week and may not be ready until at least the Pac-10 season opens. Jensen injured his left shoulder, the same one he had surgery on in his freshman year.
Although Jensen has struggled with his confidence and has been erratic, his absence is a blow to Washington, which has two other starters back from last season. A three-year starter, Jensen adds experience and feistiness to a young team.
A big part of the burden up front falls on senior Bobby Jones, an impossibly annoying defender who has vastly improved his offensive game each year. Freshman Jon Brockman’s quick development suddenly becomes more urgent than ever.
Even with Jensen healthy, Brandon Roy was certain to become the Huskies’ unquestioned leader and dominating force on both ends of the floor. Romar has said that we haven’t yet seen Roy at his best. It is even more important now to the Huskies that we do.
Having lost Nate Robinson, Tre Simmons and Will Conroy, few expect the Huskies to duplicate last season’s dynamics – a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Pac-10 tournament championship, 29 victories – but they nonetheless will be an enormously interesting team.
Besides Brockman, a Snohomish grad, county observers will love watching Stanwood’s Ryan Appleby at point guard. Roy is a leading candidate for Pac-10 Player of the Year and national honors. Washington’s freshman class – Brockman, guard Justin Dentmon, guard Harvey Perry, center Artem Wallace and center Joel Wolfinger – ranks with any in the country.
Guard Joel Smith and forward Jamaal Williams return after impressive first seasons.
We can’t wait.
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Mike Holmgren has been taking a boatload of flak for calling two fruitless running plays late in regulation time against the Redskins that led up to Josh Brown’s missed field goal from 47 yards out.
And well he should.
When asked why he didn’t consider even the safest of pass plays to get Brown closer, here’s what Holmgren came up with: He recalled his time as a 49ers assistant in 1990, when Joe Montana nearly threw a pick to Deion Sanders on a little sprint-out pass. Sanders dropped a certain 80-yard interception for a TD.
“That stuck with me a long time,” he said.
Too long, Mike. Too long.
Certainly, Holmgren isn’t the first coach to allow apprehension from one incident to cloud his judgment, but come on! Step out of the box for once. You had the Redskins where you wanted them. You could have knocked off a foe on the road. Have a little trust in Matt Hasselbeck. He had time enough for three pass plays. Just 10 yards closer, and Brown’s money.
Of course, if Brown makes the kick, we’re not talking about this at all. But the whole incident reeks of the same ol’ Seahawks and the same ol’ result.
Now, they go into St. Louis likely without receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram.
It could be a long year.
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